Last month, SoftBank‘s series of commercials depicting several classic anime characters all grown up premiered. The ads star Kyoko Koizumi (Tokyo Sonata, Hanging Garden) as Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), the proprietess at Moon Ribar an atmospheric rooftop bar. She’s assisted by Maruko-chan (Chibi Maruko-chan, played by Suzu Hirose) and welcomes guests like Fist of the North Star‘s Kenshiro (famous Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizō XI), Obocchama-kun (played by Shinnosuke Mitsushima), Duke “Golgo 13” Tōgō (played by Fumiyo Kohinata), Joe Yabuki (Ashita no Joe, played by comedian Naoki Matayoshi) and Astro Boy himself, played by Masato Sakai (Honey and Clover).
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
This overlooked neighborhood east of Tokyo is awesome in many ways, left us with just one regret
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Famous Japanese painter’s centuries-old cat artwork proves Japan has always loved felines
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Famous Japanese painter’s centuries-old cat artwork proves Japan has always loved felines
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Want to try this super popular ramen shop, but can’t get a reservation? We’ve got tips for you
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
New 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Tokyo to Kyushu by ferry: An epic 21-hour journey on the sea
Live streamer killed on Tokyo street had her location tracked by attacker through stream
One of Tokyo’s most useful subway lines for travelers is about to get more convenient
Bring your 2-D waifu to life with world’s first life-sized “emotional” robotic figurine 【Video】
How to properly wrap a ninja hood – Now available in English!